Boosting Employee Morale: The Benefits of Fulfilling Personal Goals for Business Success

The priority of a leader is to set clear visions for the organization; it is why companies hold regular meetings to discuss new plans and to keep everyone in the loop. But what if the secret to business success isn’t just about setting ambitious goals and having a deliberate strategy? What if it starts with having a conversation with your own employees?

The Importance of Employee Engagement

“By creating a work atmosphere that welcomes conversation about personal interests and creative thinking, you will encourage employees to open up outside the stream of day-to-day work.”

According to a study, businesses with strong employee recognition were 12 times more likely to see strong business results. Turnover rate was also reported 23% lower than companies without any employee initiatives.

There are many ways to implement a strategic engagement program. For instance, Google’s ‘20% time’ policy encourages their employees to devote 20% of their time on side projects that speak to their individual interests. Some workplaces, on the other hand, show appreciation through smaller actions. Whether it’s a simple pat on the shoulder or an opportunity to incorporate personal hobbies at work, it is clear that people perform best when they feel valued and driven. After all, they’re the ones doing the job every day. 

Prioritizing Your People’s Needs

Given how everyone is different in their needs and motivations, listening to the outside interests of your employees is an indispensable step every employer should take. Although these individual goals may not bring direct insight to the work table, the interaction itself is already a valuable approach to employee morale and wellbeing. Here are some common needs you can consider providing:

  • Free gym memberships to employees who wish to get in better shape
  • Flexible hours for those with children and hope to spend more time with their family
  • Training incentives if they want to learn a new skill
  • Healthy food catering for those hoping to build a better diet
  • Additional time and resources for personal projects and hobbies outside of work

The rule of reciprocity is self-explanatory, referring to the social norm of ‘giving back what was received’. With that said, if you want your team to align with your business goals, shouldn’t you invest some time in exploring your employee base too?